Cornell’s Kale Rose embraces challenge as leader on the baseball field

MOUNT VERNON — Challenge extended. Challenge accepted.

Cornell baseball coach Robbie Dombrowski met with Kale Rose in the offseason. He shared his expectations and encouraged the two-time second-team all-Midwest Conference performer to assume a larger leadership role.

Rose arrived to the first day of fall practice with unbridled effort, making three to four diving plays and setting the standard for the team.

“He had a different look in his eye,” Dombrowski said. “He looked like he was on a mission to have a great year.”

Rose serves a versatile force at the plate, in the field and even on the mound for the Rams. He leads the team in batting and has helped Cornell contend for a Midwest Conference postseason baseball tournament spot entering the regular-season ending series at University of Chicago,

“I took things a lot more seriously and prepared for the season so I’d be good to go,” Rose said. “I think I’ve been a lot more coachable this year. Just going off what they’re talking about and setting goals for myself to be at the level I am at right now.

“I’ve been trying to step up and be more of a leader. Try to help the team.”

Rose has done just that in multiple ways. He transitioned from young follower to pacesetter has occurred. He has a tenacious approach to the game, providing a blueprint for his teammates.

“He’s diving all over the place defensively,” Dombrowski said. “He’s stretching doubles to triples. He’s just setting the tone as far as playing with high energy and toughness.”

Dombrowski added, “I’m unbelievably proud of Kale for a number of reasons. Probably above everything else, I’ve been really hard on Kale since I’ve got this job because from Day 1 you’ve recognized him as our best athlete and he’s a special player.”

Rose ranks among the team leaders in numerous offensive categories. His .390 batting average is tops among players with more than 22 at-bats. He is tied for first with teammate Sean Alvarez with seven home runs and a .489 on-base percentage. He is second with 55 hits, two behind Alvarez.

“It’s been talking a lot and wanting the ball,” Rose said. “Offensively, for me, I am just trying to put together competitive at-bats that barrel up balls.

“It also helps that our entire lineup has been hitting. I have some protection. We have three to four guys behind me that get the job done if I can’t. I have two guys ahead of me that seems to always get on base. I don’t have as much pressure. I can play freely.”

The Beloit series marked a personal highlight this season. The team struggled but Rose said he hit well with a couple home runs, reaping the rewards of his hard work that included about 10 to 15 pounds added and increased strength.

Rose also benefited from cleaner mechanics but the biggest difference was mental, becoming more selective and watching pitch sequences against his teammates.

“The third thing is hitting maturity,” Rose said. “I understand what pitchers are going to throw to me at this point. I have a good intuition of what will be thrown next.”

A good-natured rivalry with Alvarez has added motivation. Their production is nearly identical, but they push each other in an attempt to put up better statistics.

“I think that helps to have in-team competition,” Rose said. “We joke around about it but work your tail off at the same time. Do what is best for the team.”

Consider him a jack of all trades. Dombrowski has turned to Rose to take over as the starting shortstop recently to solidify the defense and relies on him as a reliever to close games. Rose leads the Rams with two saves.

Dombrowski, in his second season as Rams head coach, recognized Rose’s ability immediately. He said Rose has gained confidence and the numbers prove it.

“Ultimately, he’s our best athlete, so we’ve asked him to a lot of things that maybe aren’t comfortable for him,” Dombrowski said. “He’s stepped to the challenge every time.

“Team needs him to do those things and he doesn’t waiver from that at all. I’m just so proud of him, really.”

The former Alburnett prep has always been a multi-tool player. What is his favorite part of the game?

“It depends on what’s going well,” Rose said with a laugh. “In high school, I pitched well. In college, I’ve become really good at hitting, so that’s what I enjoy right now.

“Defense is something you just have to do. Sometimes it can be fun.”

Cornell has won eight games, matching its win total from last season and recording its first back-to-back 21-win seasons since 2002-03.

The Rams enter the final three-game set with a 21-15 record, including an 11-10 mark in the conference. They hold the fourth, and final, conference tournament spot, leading Monmouth (Ill.) College by a game and a half. Cornell hasn’t reached the postseason since winning the conference tournament in 2019.

“As I’ve told the boys all along, our opponent has nothing to do with our outcome. We’re that talented. I’ve been telling them that from the start.

“We know if we go in there and play baseball the way we have been for the last eight games we’re going to have a lot of success. It is firmly about us and how we’re playing right now.”

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